The Toronto Maple Leafs have lost five games in a row, the latest coming in the form of a 7-4 loss to the Buffalo Sabres to close off a sweep of their five-game homestand. Nobody would be condemned for expressing disbelief that this team can get it done, but the Maple Leafs’ players are refusing to give into that notion.

Speaking to the media following the Maple Leafs’ latest ugly loss, assistant captain John Tavares spoke about the disappointment after a solid start slipped away from them and turned into a multi-goal deficit.

“Obviously, you know, we did some good things early, put the puck in the net and gave ourselves some leads,” Tavares reflected to reporters. “Couple of tough breaks, then it just felt like we couldn’t really gain the momentum back and really get our game to kind of wear them down for the rest of the night, and put yourself in a good spot. And, obviously, having to battle back in the third again. So, yeah, tough one.”

When asked if he got the sense that the belief was still in the room, Tavares kept it short and sweet.

“Yes.”

Tavares then elaborated on the inspiration in the dressing room, pointing out that even though it’s nearly February and the team is eight points out of a playoff spot, the bell hasn’t rung yet.

“We’re playing the game at the highest level in the NHL, and you’re playing for a historic club. There’s a lot of hockey left here and nothing’s been determined. So, the motivation is very easy.”

Matthew Knies, who scored the Maple Leafs’ first goal to snap an 11-game drought, echoed Tavares’ sentiments and drew on the team’s ability to find their way out of adversity earlier this season. In saying that, he admitted that the team needs to show some more urgency.

“I think there definitely needs to be more desperation,” Knies said. “I think we found ourselves in this type of adversity earlier in the year, and we found a way to get out of it. So, I think trusting in that fact that we’ve done it before, I’m confident in our group that we can do it again.”

The Leafs will have very little margin for error for the rest of the season, with a steep uphill battle to try and salvage their playoff chances, but Knies refuses to let his belief in the team waver.

“I think there’s still a lot of hockey left, and the standings are really close. I haven’t really looked at it much, to be honest with you. That’s how confident I am that we’re going to get there.”

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